Dynamic Solidification in Nanoconfined Water Films

Shah H. Khan; George Matei; Shivprasad Patil; Peter M. Hoffmann

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.105.106101

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arXiv · 1006.3320

Dynamic Solidification in Nanoconfined Water Films

Shah H. Khan·George Matei·Shivprasad Patil·Peter M. Hoffmann

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Abstract

The mechanical properties of nanoconfined water layers are still poorly understood and continue to create considerable controversy, despite their importance for biology and nanotechnology. Here, we report on dynamic nanomechanical measurements of water films compressed down to a few single molecular layers. We show that the mechanical properties of nanoconfined water layers change dramatically with their dynamic state. In particular, we observed a sharp transition from viscous to elastic response even at extremely slow compression rates, indicating that mechanical relaxation times increase dramatically once water is compressed to less than 3-4 molecular layers.

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Shah H. Khan, George Matei, Shivprasad Patil, Peter M. Hoffmann. 2010-06-16. Dynamic Solidification in Nanoconfined Water Films. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.106101

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